Understanding amendment to Syariah law in Kelantan will prevent it from being politicised

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dasuki says all quarters must understand the move by the Kelantan government to amend the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002 to enforce public caning. Pix by MOHD FADLI HAMZAH.

TUMPAT: All quarters must understand the move by the Kelantan government to amend the Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2002 to enforce public caning.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dasuki said problem would not exist if the reasoning behind the move was understood by all parties.

“If this (the public caning) is understood by all, there should not be any issue or it being politicised by any quarters,” he told reporters after attending East Coast Economic Region (ECER) empowerment programme at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara here today.

He said the public should know that the punishment only applies to Muslims and not the non-Muslims.

“The amendment which was passed in Kelantan state assembly sitting on Wednesday has not disturbed the Federal Constitution as it only apply at the state’s syariah court under the jurisdiction of the state government,” he said.